Purpose Vessel Traffic Service or VTS is a shore-based system implemented by a competent authority to:Improve the safety and efficiency of navigation, Safety of life at sea, and Protection of the marine environment.VTS is governed by SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 12 together with the guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services [ IMO Resolution A.857(20) ] adopted on 27 November 1997.A Vessel traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as radar, AIS, direction finding, CCTV and VHF or other cooperative system services. A modern VTS integrates all … [Read more...]
Stowaways – Who are they, What are Individual Duties?
The persons who have secreted or otherwise smuggled themselves onboard a vessel or in cargo despite the best efforts of the ship to prevent such persons from coming onboard are known as Stowaways. Stowaway person is detected after the ship has departed from a port and reported as a stowaway by the master to the appropriate authorities. If detected before departure then the person is called an “ Attempted Stowaway ”. Why do people stowaway?For Survival No opportunity available in the nation of origin for work Facing racial discrimination Raising standard of living Criminal … [Read more...]
Anchoring System and its Components On-board Ships
The anchoring system is intended for safely mooring a vessel lying offshore in reasonable weather conditions. The system must be capable of keeping the vessel in position as per the holding power of anchor determined through the calculation of 'Equipment Number'. It is of paramount importance that the system is specified, designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, Class requirements and the owner's needs.The holding power of the anchor determined from its EN (Equipment Number) will not be sufficient to maintain the position of the ship in … [Read more...]
Magnetic Compass & Ship Magnetism – Simplified Explanation
The Ship’s Magnetic Compass The principle of the present day magnetic compass is in no way different from that of the compass used by the ancients. It consists of a magnetised needle, or array of needles pivoted so that rotation is in a horizontal plane.The superiority of the present day ship’s compass results from :better knowledge of the laws of magnetism which govern the behaviour of the compass, greater precision in the construction of compass & binnacle including correctors, better means to control damping of the compass needle.A properly adjusted ship’s compass … [Read more...]
Ship Interactions when Navigating in a Channel
When navigating in narrow channels the systems of water flow and water pressure will be considerably increased. The ship will thus push water ahead of her and the surface of the water will rise noticeably several ship's lengths ahead of the ship.Along the ship's side, water will flow back with higher velocity than in open water of the same depth and abaft of the ship, water will be pulled along in the direction the ship is sailing.If the ship sails in the centre line of the channel and if the channel is symmetrical about her she will not be exposed to a turning effect from the channel, … [Read more...]
Hot Work – Definition, Responsibility, Process and Risks On-board Ships
Definition Work involving sources of ignition or temperatures sufficiently high to cause the ignition of a flammable gas mixture is termed as Hot Work. This includes any work requiring the use of welding, burning or soldering equipment, blow torches, some power-driven tools, portable electrical equipment which is not intrinsically safe or contained within an approved explosion-proof housing, and internal combustion engines. Hot Work Permit A document issued by a Responsible Person permitting specific Hot Work to be done during a particular time interval in a defined area. The SMS should … [Read more...]
Anchoring – An Effective means of Controlling Ship’s Movement
Anchors The specific requirements for anchoring equipment in ships are laid down by the Classification Societies and is determined as per each ship's displacement, her wind area down to the summer load line. These requirements are the weight of anchor, number of anchors, length of chain cable and breaking strength.Requirements also specify that the cable must be secured in the chain locker by an arrangement whose breaking strength is greater than 15% and less than 30% of the tensile proof stress of the chain (Norske Veritas). Also, the breaker of the windlass must be able to withstand a … [Read more...]
Certificates and Documentation Required to be carried Onboard Ships
Certificates and Documentation - For All Ships *Originals OnboardInternational Tonnage Certificate (1969) International Loadline Certificate International Loadline Exemption Certificate Intact Stability Booklet Damage Control Plans and booklets Minimum Safe Manning Document Fire Safety Training Manual Fire Control Plan / Booklet Onboard Training and Drill Records Fire Safety Operational Booklet Certificate for Masters, Officers and Ratings International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate Oil Record Book Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan … [Read more...]
Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) – Guidelines for use in IMO Rule Making Process
Historic Background for FSANuclear Industry in the 60s: Probabilistic Safety Assessments Chemical Industry in the 70s: QRA, Seveso Directive I and II Offshore Industry in the 80s: QRA, Industrial Self Regulation Regime in Norway, Safety Case Regime in UK Shipping Industry in the 90s: FSA1992: UK House of Lords, Lord Carver Report 1993, MSC 62: UK proposes FSA concept 1997, MSC 68: FSA Interim Guidelines 2001, MSC 74: FSA GuidelinesDefinition Formal Safety Assessment or FSA is a structured and a systematic methodology aimed at enhancing Maritime Safety … [Read more...]
Notice of Readiness (NOR) – Definition, Contents & Requirements
Definition The Notice of Readiness (NOR) is the document used by the Ship Master, to notify his ship readiness, in every respect, to load and/or unload the goods during the period of his charter. NOR is an extremely important document as it triggers the commencement of laytime. "Laytime" is the term used to refer to the time allowed to the charterers to load/discharge cargo in return for payment of freight to the owners.In a case of invalid NOR, the vessel might not be considered as arrived ship and therefore all waiting time until berthing will be refuted in the demurrage claim.The … [Read more...]